Africa: BOM and STS in Ocean Monitoring Pact

Blue Ocean Monitoring (BOM) has entered into a Strategic Business Alliance Agreement with Sea Technology Services (STS).

Under the alliance, BOM will initially base one Slocum Glider in Cape Town to be deployed on regional ocean monitoring programs, with STS providing associated marketing and engineering support services.

Demand for ocean monitoring programs in the region is increasing due to more activity in the natural resources sector and the requirement for greater environmental accountability.
Locally, there has been rapid growth in the awareness that ocean robotic platforms can provide an additional tool to supplement and enhance existing and emerging ocean survey techniques, with the associated increase in presence resulting in the availability of cost-effective real-time high-volume data.

Derek Needham, Managing Director of STS, said: “The Alliance represents a great opportunity for both of our businesses. We are aware of multiple regional ocean monitoring programs for which we can now tender using the joint capabilities of the Alliance. More broadly speaking, we have set our sights on becoming the leading ocean monitoring business for survey and other companies in Africa. With the skills and expertise the Alliance has to offer I think that is an achievable goal.”

Simon Illingworth, BOM’s Managing Director, commented: “I would like to thank Derek and the entire team at STS for their efforts during this process. We are delighted to be working with such a high calibre group and have no doubt that their local knowledge and expertise will be a key part of the Alliance’s success. We look forward to strengthening this exciting new relationship and venture in the future.”